The Workers Stags defeated Hibo Gold on Saturday to secure a spot in this weekend's GDCA first grade grand final against Hibo Green, which will be a replay of the 2018/19 final.
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Green progressed straight to the final by virtue of their minor premiership. Having won nine of 14 matches played, with three losses and two draws, they sit comfortably on top of the ladder.
Stags finished in third with six wins and seven losses, and were arguably the most mercurial side in the competition.
With a high-risk, high-reward batting lineup, the Stags have enjoyed some spectacular victories along with some lacklustre defeats.
Last Saturday, against Hibo Gold in the elimination final, the Workers showed up when it mattered most.
After they won the toss and elected to bat first, Stags opener Jack Murdoch got off to another fast start, and was dismissed by Logan Watts after scoring 17 of the first 20 runs.
From there, the Stags took a more circumspect approach with Zac Croker (28 from 41) and Craig Fahey (25 from 39) combining for a strong partnership.
After they fell in quick succession, the Stags lost two more quick wickets to wobble at 4-70.
But quick innings from Dylan Maddock (25 from 23), captain Daniel Cooper (21 from 26), and big hitter Josh Ryrie (32 from 26) pushed the Stags to a formidable total of 8-168 from 32 overs in a rain-shortened match.
Facing a daunting chase on Carr Confoy's synthetic wicket, the young Hibo Gold batting lineup needed to produce its best.
Unfortunately, it got off to about the worst possible start as both Raheem Abdul and Scott Boughton fell for ducks at the top of the order.
Tom Pender (24) and Ben Staples (46) did their best to salvage the innings, but the James Will ran roughshod through the batting lineup to emerge with a match-winning haul of 5-22 as Hibo Gold fell to 131 all out.
Saturday's 37-run victory underlined the results of which the Stags are capable on their day, and it lines up a fascinating rematch of the 2018/19 grand final.
Though Hibo Green will undoubtedly go into this weekend's final as favourites, two of their three losses this year came at the hands of the Stags, in rounds six and nine.
The pair's tally overall was two wins each from five matches, with one draw due to wet weather in round 12.
Strong batting has been the key for both sides in their previous clashes this season, which have only produced two scores of less than 150 in eight innings.
Throughout the 2019/20, Hibo Green's batting has become more balanced and less reliant on captain Dane Stevenson.
With this increased consistency and the strength of its bowling stocks, Green will be confident ahead of this Saturday's clash.
But the Stags have proven twice this season that they have what it takes to upset the competition leaders. It remains to be seen if they can do it once more to win the final, or if Hibo Green will be able to repeat its 2018/19 exploits and claim a second successive title.
The GDCA grand final will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 12.30pm at Seiffert Oval.
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